Prince Harry and Meghan Markle reportedly object to being described as "former royals" and dislike the phrase "working members of the royal family", according to a friend of the couple.
The term "working members of the royal family" is typically used to describe royals who carry out public engagements on behalf of the monarchy. However, both Harry and Meghan reportedly view themselves as "members of the royal family and they work", rather than working for the institution.
Couple's objection to the phrase
The couple stepped down as senior members of the Firm in 2020 and moved to the United States. As part of that arrangement, which saw them secure commercial deals with companies including Spotify and Netflix, Buckingham Palace stated that "the Sussexes will not use their HRH titles as they are no longer working members of the Royal Family".
Harry and Meghan are also said to have taken issue with being called "former royals". The objection comes as the couple made their first joint public engagements since returning to the UK in Nottingham last week.
Friend's comments
"'Working members of the royal family' is a really lazy phrase," a friend of the couple told The Sunday Times. "He hates it, she hates it."
The friend added: "They are not 'working' for the institution but are members of the royal family and they work. Their days are built around their family life and their work. She's running a business seven days a week."
The friend continued: "Things like Nottingham aren't done in the name of the institution or the crown, but Harry is the son of the King, he is still a member of the royal family, he's just not a member of the institution. It's misleading to call them 'former royals'. It has an impact on how they're perceived and the way people talk about them."
Return to the UK
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex undertook back-to-back engagements in Nottinghamshire last week, with crowds of wellwishers gathering to see the couple. The family has been settling into their new lives back in Britain since returning in August.
While speaking with schoolchildren waiting outside the Community Recording Studio in Nottingham, Harry discussed the changes for the young family. He told the children that his son Archie had asked whether he could be enrolled in a school that 'doesn't do maths' after moving to the UK. In a video posted on X, Harry added: "And then he went to this new school and on the first day, on the first class, guess what it was? Maths!"
The Sussexes have been keen to take part in engagements since arriving back in Britain, with Harry attending the inaugural Invictus Spirit awards. The Mirror has contacted Archewell Productions, a company founded by Harry and Meghan, for comment.
